Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Carrillo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gina, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience came slow and steady. I had an awakening from a sort of deep sleep in 2019. Before then I was a lost soul, not able to fully know myself and being swayed in the wind by others. After multiple abusive relationships, I finally reached a point where I had to reach out and get therapy. Bridges of Williamson County helped me work on my boundaries, raise my self esteem, indulge in self love, practice self care and change from insecurities and work on my strengths. I’ve been with them over six years now and I’ve been able to stop my unhealthy toxic cycle and only have positive, stress and drama free relationships in my life with also friends and family!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
This year, I’ve been working on my next book that will contain twice as much poetry and also more artwork! I’ve also completed a couple new paintings while painting them live on stage! I’ve decided to make an effort to travel a lot more as I am now able to as I retired early at 40 years old last year! I’ve always wanted to move to the beach and at the end of this year, I’ll be turning my dreams into a reality! I’m available for Features with my Art & Poetry, let me know if you need help with any show or event!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This year I took Psychology and Communications classes at Columbia State and they have helped me navigate conversations better. I also like to stay active in the community and network by meeting other Artists! I’m extroverted and outgoing and able to get others to connect and I love bringing people together! I wanted to be in a Poetry Crew and I decided to start my own! The Prodigal Poets just Performed at Vanderbilt for Poetry Month! I would advise anyone getting started to make sure you get out there to the open mics and shows, come early and stay late to get to know others! Being real, raw and vulnerable by telling your story helps others connect with you and they can then relate to you as well!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I always love collaborating with other Artists! I’ve done multiple poetic creations and I love learning how others write and their techniques. I work with Musicians that create music for my poetry or they have sent me tracks and I pick or create a poem of mine that would fit to it! By having music played on stage it brings my poetry to a whole new level and the audience loves it too!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @blackwidowpoet @prodigalpoets
- Facebook: Black Widow Poet
- Other: Tik Tok -@blackwidowpoet
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